Second phase of North Lincolnshire fibre broadband project set to start

Thursday, March 31st 2016by Ellen Branagh

Thousands of properties in North Lincolnshire are to get access to superfast broadband as part of the second phase of the area’s government-backed superfast rollout.

The second phase of the Northern Lincs Broadband (NLBB) project is set to start in April and is aimed at providing 99% of properties across Northern Lincolnshire with superfast broadband by March 2017.

The first phase of the £7m project, which originally aimed – and managed to – provide fibre to 92.5% of the area by June 2015, reached 31,000 premises, including more than 4,000 businesses.

The second phase will now aim to provide an extra 4,000 homes and businesses with superfast broadband, thanks to more than £5m raised in new funding as well as savings from the first phase.

Around £2m in savings was made from the first phase of NLBB, and an extra £1.1m has come from government's Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) funding, plus nearly £0.9m from BT.

Over the next few months, members of the NLBB team will be visiting a number of communities that are set to receive superfast broadband, holding roadshows to let people know about the benefits of fibre broadband.

Communities will include Winterton, Whitton, Appleby, Roxby, Ealand, Eastoft, Garthorpe, Crowle, Keadby, Brigg, Wrawby, Haxey, Westwoodside, and the roadshow will also offer information and advice from other council services including adult community learning, regeneration, adoption and fostering, public health, and leisure services.

'A necessity'

Cllr Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: "High-speed broadband has almost become a necessity for many households and businesses as it is relied upon day after day.

"I am delighted that even more people across northern Lincolnshire will soon be able to access this.

"Gone are the days of dial-up internet – superfast broadband is the way forward. It provides unlimited benefits for both homes and businesses.

She said they had received positive feedback from residents and businesses who described "major differences" in their internet speeds, from downloading business files to watching catch-up TV.

"The first phase of the project was a huge success. It was in the top six nationally for completing the rollout the quickest.

"I’m positive we will add to this success with the second phase. Reaching 99% of properties will be a fantastic achievement."